Dark Cove: Single Malts for the Sinner in All of Us

Words by: JPS for duncan quinn

There’s something dark going on in Scotland. Dark and delicious that is.

We’re talking two new single malts from Islay, of course, land of the smokiest whiskies in the world, courtesy of two of our favorite distilleries. The first, Ardbeg, was established in 1815 on an especially craggy bit of coastline that was much favored by whisky smugglers prior to the distillery being founded in 1815. You might almost say that’s when the locals went legit. Which serves as the inspiration for Dark Cove, the “darkest” Ardbeg expression ever produced. It’s the product of a “clandestine meeting” of whisky matured in ex-Bourbon casks and a “heart” matured in dark sherry casks, imparting seriously intense flavor.

At the same time across the island at Laphroaig, officially Prince Charlie’s favorite single malt (that’s his crown and feathers on the label), the lads have issued Laphroiag Lore, the “richest” Scotch whisky ever produced, i.e. the most heavily peated spirit ever to come forth from the historic premises, also founded in 1815. “Laphroaig Lore is the story of Laphroaig itself,” notes distillery manager John Campbell. “It’s a massive whisky, as bold as it is deep… We make the whisky we make because of the knowledge and craft that has been passed down throughout the years. Lore is our story, bottled – the richest of the rich.” We won’t be waiting until Burns Night to uncork these beauties…